Early Cork series: evening shows on Radio City

Early Cork series: evening shows on Radio City
Paul Cassidy at Radio City in September 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is another recording of Cork pirate Radio City in the early months of its existence in autumn 1980. Most of the recording consists of Monday evening shows: Paul Cassidy with Travelling Through the 70s including a listeners’ quiz and Tony Allen (Walsh) with Jukebox Jive. These are followed by short snippets of daytime programmes: Pete Andrews (O’Neill) at lunchtime, Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delights and Noel Evans (Welch) with Home Run.

The tape of Radio City was made on 6th and 7th October 1980 from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres. Audio quality is poor throughout due to rudimentary recording equipment. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

Early Cork series: Radio City enters its second month on air

Early Cork series: Radio City enters its second month on air
The late Henry Condon (Alan Reid on air) at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

In October 1980, the new Cork pirate station Radio City entered its second month on air, offering a variety of programmes from 0700-0200 each day presented by many of the DJs who had cut their teeth on the emerging Cork scene since the late 1970s.

The first part of this recording was made on 1st October 1980 and features Noel Evans (Welch), Alan Reid (the late Henry Condon, known later as Henry Owens on other pirates) and Tony Allen (Walsh). The second part was made on 10th October and features Tony Allen, Luke Ward and Pete Andrews (O’Neill). Adverts are sparse after a month on air, underlining the financial challenges involved in sustaining a full-time pirate station at the time.

Audio quality is poor as most of the recording was made by placing a tape recorder against a radio. It was recorded from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres, and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

Early Cork series: samples from a week on Radio City

Early Cork series: samples from a week on Radio City
Geraldine O’Connor typing up the news in 1980 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

This post features recordings of Radio City Cork made over a week during the station’s first month on air in September 1980. It begins with Paul Cassidy presenting an evening show on 22nd September, who is followed by Pat O’Rourke (Smurf) with Sounds Around Midnight. Pat previously had a big following on CBC. Pat O’Rourke is then heard from 24th September signing off in the early hours followed by the national anthem. He is followed by Noel Evans (Welch) later on drivetime later that day. Next up from 25th September is Noel Evans on drivetime, followed by John Rice. The final snippets were recorded on 29th September and feature Ed Harris with the Afternoon Delight programme followed by Geraldine O’Connor and Noel Evans.

Early Cork series: samples from a week on Radio City
Paul Cassidy at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Audio quality is poor throughout as the recording was made by placing a tape recorder against a radio instead of using a radio-cassette recorder. Despite our best efforts, there is also some wobble on the cassette after many decades. The tape was made from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

Sunday evening on Dublin country music station Treble TR

Sunday evening on Dublin country music station Treble TR
Studio shot of Treble TR in 1983 with unidentified DJ (courtesy DX Archive).

Dublin’s country and Irish music station Treble TR broadcast from spring 1981 until the end of 1988, building up a loyal listenership during that time. This recording was made on a Sunday night in 1983 and features some of the variety of programmes on the station.  

Shay Eustace is up first with the final part of his Irish traditional and folk music show. He is followed by John Deane with his mixture of country and ballads until midnight. There are some agency adverts and commercials for various Dublin businesses, including the Red Corner Shop, a regular advertiser on the pirates.

The airchecked recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 99.5 FM between 2000-2230 on Sunday 9th October 1983.

Early Cork series: Second week on Radio City

Early Cork series: Second week on Radio City
Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue)

This recording was made during the second week of broadcasting of the Cork pirate Radio City, that came on the air in September 1980. It features snippets from a variety of daytime and evening programmes, including Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delight, Paul Cassidy with the Golden Hour and Tony Walsh with new music until midnight. Many DJs refer to their gigs in local hotels or nightclubs, which was common among pirate radio presenters anxious to supplement their income in the lean 1980s.

The recording was made on Wednesday 10th and Friday 12th September 1980 from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, and is courtesy of Lillian O’Donoghue.